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Environmental Health Officer, Public Health Inspector, Public Health Executive Officer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Public health inspectors ensure compliance with public health legislation and regulations. They investigate, evaluate, and deal with health-related complaints related to environmental factors. They inspect public and private facilities, such as:
In general, they assess circumstances, provide advice, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations. These could pertain to:
They act as secondary emergency responders in health-related circumstances (ensuring safe food, water, and shelter for people effected by emergencies) during events such as forest fires or floods. They also help people learn and understand regulations and the need for proper health protection. For example, they may be involved in injury prevention and other health-promotion programs.
Public health inspectors spend much of their time inspecting a wide range of work settings and locations, so travel is often required. While in their offices, they prepare reports, set up schedules, and answer questions from the public. They normally work alone but they may consult with other health professionals and service organizations. Examples include local municipalities, the SPCA, and child-protection services.
They most often work regular office hours but they may work overtime, weekends, and on-call shifts.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Public and environmental health and safety professionals
2023 OaSIS: 21120.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Public health inspectors need:
They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods for their work. They should like analyzing information and interacting with people.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 28, 2023 and Oct 08, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Inspect workplaces for safety or health hazards | 73 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Ensure health and safety regulations are followed | 72 |
| Tasks: Develop and implement health and safety plans | 67 |
| Attention to detail | 60 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 56 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel | 55 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 54 |
| Tasks: Provide information/training to employers, employees and general public | 54 |
| Tasks: Investigate workplace accidents or illnesses | 54 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 51 |
Public health inspectors must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental health or equivalent education.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Except in Quebec, public health inspectors must be certified by the Board of Certification of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. To qualify for the Certificate of Public Health Inspection (Canada) designation, candidates must:
Once certified, they must maintain their certification by pursuing continuing education in their field.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most public health inspectors work for local public health authorities. Some work for:
A growing number of public health inspectors work in the private sector. Some work as private consultants.
Employers may require applicants to have a clear security check and regularly updated immunizations. Some require applicants to have a valid driver’s licence and their own vehicle.
Experienced inspectors may advance from staff inspector to environmental health specialist and senior inspector positions. They may move on to chief inspector or director positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
2016 NOC: 2263
75.6% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $22.60 | $53.91 | $38.31 | $40.31 |
| Overall | $24.96 | $63.70 | $47.57 | $49.55 |
| Top | $31.25 | $92.31 | $55.21 | $55.63 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $95,481 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $120,824 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $88,693 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $78,738 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $101,677 |
| Public Administration | $93,244 |
Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, AB/NT/NU website: ciphi.ca/ab-nt-nu
Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, national website: ciphi.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH-CCSNE) website: ncceh.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
